EPIDEMIOLOGY AND THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT OF BOVINE MASTITIS

The overall prevalence of mastitis recorded during 2008-2009 was 8.08% (63/780). Breed wise prevalence was 61.90%, 31.75% and 6.35% in Crossbred Jersey, Crossbred Holstein Friesian and Zebu Hill cows respectively. It was highest during spring (42.86%) followed by winter (34.92%), summer (15.87%) and least during autumn (6.35%). After 252 milk samples testing by different mastitis tests and on clinical observations, 151 (60.16%) quarters were affected with different types of mastitis. The animals were highly affected with acute (55.56%) followed by sub-acute (25.40%) and chronic (19.05%) mastitis.. The incidence of mastitis was similar in 1st (15.87%) and 2nd (15.87%) parity whereas, 20.63%, 26.98%, 12.70% and 7.94% in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th parity, respectively. Moreover, the incidence was highest in early (52.38%) followed by mid (26.98%) and late (20.63%) lactation. The predominant major mastitis-causing organisms isolated were Staphylococcus spp. 42 (66.67%) and E. coli 10 (15.87%) and other 11 (17.46%). The highest clinical recovery rate was recorded in the animals treated with Gentamicin (84.21%), followed by Enrofloxacin (80.77%), Ciprofloxacin (80.00%), Ofloxacin (80.00%), Amoxicillin-Cloxacillin (75.00%) and Ampicillin-Cloxacillin (50.00%) within 3.32, 3.46, 4.00, 4.50, 4.50 and 4.75 days (average), respectively. However, fibrosed cases required at least 7-9 days for complete recovery.